Tone-modifier for talking-machines



F. H. ELIASO'N.

TONE MODIFIER FOR TALKING MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED AUG.29, I919.

13345601.. Patented Mar. 23,1920

FBITHJOF H. ELIASON, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

TONE-MODIFIER FOR TALKING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented 1, a1. 23, 1920;

Application filed August 29, 1919. Serial No. 320,629.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRITHJoF H. ELIASON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Newark, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tone-Modifiers for Talking-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved tone modifier of the type which is mounted on the reproducer of a talking machine and has an element to engage the stylus rod so as to make various modifications of tone possible.

The invention relates to a tone modifier of this kind which has a frame secured to the reproduc-er of a phonograph, preferably detachably secured, with an element secured thereto that can be swung to a position to engage the stylus rod, and the amount of grip by the modifying element and the location of the gripping can be controlled along said stylus rod, the modifying element when not in use as such being swung to an inoperative position, where it does not interfere with the reproduction of sound nor with the manual manipulation of the reproducer.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a face view of a reproduc'er supplied with my improved tone modifier, and Fig. 2 is a side view of the structure shown in Fig. 1. In the drawing 10 is a reprodueer of usual form having a diaphragm 11, the outer rim ofthe reproducer being usually made of metal and generally round in shape, and on the back has an extension, such as the tubular part 12, for securing it to the tone arm of a talking machine. Connected with the diaphragm is a st lus rod 13, this stylus rod being secured to t e center of the diaphragm and extending out and then down, and being mounted so that it can pivot, this being usually done by mounting it on a pivotal connection, in the form shown this consisting of a pin 14 on each end of the bearing of the stylus rod'and extended downward into the needle holder 15, into which the needle or stylus 16 is inserted.

It is usual now to secure modifications in tone by changing the needle, the finer needle giving a lighter tone and the bigger needle a heavier tone. By my invention the big needle can be used at all times, the modification of tone below the maximum of the needle being secured by controlling the vibration length of stylus rod that is grasped is also 7 a factor in'modifying the tone, and by my improved construction I have secured a structure that permits the location and the length of stylus rod grasped to be easily and quickly varied, according to what tone is required.

The modifier is preferably mounted on a frame, the frame shown consisting of a spider-like structure having arms 17 extending so that they diverge downwardly and have the hook-shaped ends 18 that engage the rear face of the reproducer, and divergent top arms 19 have their spring ends 20 constructed so as to snap over the periphery of the reproducer and thus hold the frame in position. The frame can be withdrawn by jerking the top arms 19 off the edge of the reproducer and then unhooking the ends 18 from the bottom, and a reversal of these steps will install the frame on the producer.

A clasp for the stylus rod is suspended on the frame, the clasp consisting of arms that form the handles 21 and the jaws 22, these pivoted arms being mounted on a bar 23, preferably made of stout wire, the end of which is formed into an eye 2&- which forms ahinged knuckle that cooperates with the knuckles25 of the supporting plate 26, so that the clasp can be swung relative to the frame, in addition to the arms of the clasp being pivoted relative to each other. The knuckles 2-5 are usually made by splitting the end of the plate 26 so'that they have a tendency to squeeze the knuckle 24 between them and thus hold it by friction in its raised or inoperative position. The ends of the jaws 22 are provided with soft flexible material, such as felt or rubber, illus trated at 27, and the jaws are heldtogether by a suitable spring, such as the spring 28., one end of which is placed underneath the strip of felt or rubber 29 so as to hold the parts against. rattling so as: not to interfere with the reproduction or give a metallic sound thereto.

The axis of the hinge and the axis of the pivot are perpendicular to each other so that the clasp can be swung, as shown in If the stylus rod is.

are pivoted intermediate of their ends to about 425 only one corner of the clasping jaws 27 is in engagement with the stylus rod 13, and this at a considerable distance from the center and the modification of the toneis slight. In the second dotted position a considerable length of the stylus rod is grasped, and nearer the center of the diaphra'gm than the first dotted position. In this position the tone would be much more modified. Of course it will be understood that any position in between these two positions' is available for positioning the jaws of the clasp along the stylus rod.

Slight modifications in the structure can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A tone modifier comprising a frame adapted to be secured to a reproducer, a

clasp consisting of pivoted arms, and a hinge securing the clasp to the frame, the axis of the hinge being perpendicular to the axis of the plvot.

2. A tone modifier comprising a spiderlike frame for embracing the edge of a reproducer, a clasp consisting of arms pivoted intermediate of their ends to form handles and gripping jaws, and a hinge substantially in line with the pivot, said hinge securing the clasp to the frame.

3-. A tone modifier comprising a frame with arms adapted to embrace the edge of a reproducer, a pair of arms pivoted inter-' mediate of their ends to form the handles andjaws of a clasp, a pin on which the arms FRITHJOF H. ELIASON. 

